Mountain resort living

Tagaytay has always been a top choice for urbanites like me who are looking for either a second home, a place to retire to, or simply a weekend getaway destination.

But not surprisingly, a number of big city dwellers running their own businesses have chosen to live in Tagaytay for good. After all, with high-speed Internet connection, working from anywhere is already possible.

With its proximity to Metro Manila,  its cool weather, fresh produce, magnificent view, and minimal vehicular traffic, Tagaytay is definitely a dream place to live in.

Especially when there is a recreational facility nearby. That, for me, will complete the rural-urban living scenario.

Nothing beats waking up in the morning to the cool Tagaytay air and a perfect view of Taal Lake and Volcano, the mountains, and the golf course.

The Tagaytay Highlands resort complex opened in 1994 with the inauguration of the Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club. Twenty years later, Tagaytay Highlands remains the most sought-after private and exclusive luxury mountain residential resort community and has since become the benchmark for a family leisure destination in the country.

Only a year after its opening, the resort’s second club, The Country Club at Tagaytay Highlands was completed. By 1999, the resort complex inaugurated its third club—The Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club, and following this was the opening of the fourth club, The Spa and Lodge at the Highlands in the same year.

Simultaneous with the growth of the Club was the development of residential communities inside the complex.

From the renowned signature premium log cabins of The Woodlands, other themed subdivisions followed.

Sycamore Heights is a private and exclusive Asian Contemporary-themed residential development within Tagaytay Highlands. It is situated in one of the most prime locations in the luxury mountain resort destination. With an elevation of 165-195 meters above sea level, this community offers prime scenic views of the majestic Taal Lake and Volcano, the Midlands Fairways and serene mountainside.

For those who prefer modern ranch-style living, there is Aspenhills. It is an enthralling private mountain hideaway featuring modern ranch style log homes characterized by touches of glass and the rustic charm of wood and stone.

If one likes Zen living, Tagaytay Highlands also offers  Katsura, a Japanese-themed leisure lot development stretched across 14 hectares of gently rolling terrain with beautiful views of the mountains and horizons.

Meanwhile,  Woodridge Place is a luxury condominium development offering traditional charm and modern conveniences. Taking inspiration from the mountain resorts of Colorado, it features spectacular views of the Highlands golf course and the surrounding mountains.

Other developments include The Parks and The Verandas at Saratoga Hills, and Woodlands Point with its modern log homes of imported Western red cedar and stone masonry amidst the scent of pine trees, protected by a state-of-the-art reticulation system to make sure that homes are termite-free and in excellent all-weather condition;

Tagaytay Highlands, a leisure development of the SM Group of Companies, has truly defined mountain resort living, through  its luxury second homes (and first homes for a growing number)  that provide refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life.

But what makes it more spectacular is the amount of fun and the quality of lifestyle one can experience living in it.

It has two world-class golf courses (Highlands and Midlands) which together have 45 holes, with the newest addition of the Midlands Lucky Nine; The Sports Center with swimming pool, basketball court, tennis, badminton and squash courts, billiard hall and bowling alley and children’s playground; The Country Club with mini golf course, swimming pools and fishing pier; horseback riding ring; the Animal Farm; more than 20 dining outlets offering a wide range of various cuisine; The Spa and Lodge; to name a few.

Definitely, mountain resort living at its best.

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